House Passes HEROES Act, Detailed Chicago Regulations, Back to Business Illinois

The Illinois Restaurant Association continues to engage with local, state, and federal officials to help our employers and employees address concerns about COVID-19.

Please see the below resources and information for your business - updated as of 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2.

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House Passes HEROES Act with Restaurant Relief, Senate Action Needed

Last night, the House of Representative passed the updated $2.2T HEROES Act that includes several provisions for restaurant relief, including the $120B RESTAURANTS Act, a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding, and an expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). The IRA commends the House for taking action to pass specific measures designed to support the nation's restaurant industry.

At this time, it is unlikely the package will be brought up for a vote in the Senate, as Majority Leader McConnell has indicated that he would not support any legislation that has a price tag of more than $2 trillion.

The House is now slated to send their members back home until the elections, with no expectation they’ll be called back. The Senate is likely to stay in session for much of October for activities related to judicial nominations and the Supreme Court vacancy. 

If Congress is unable to reach an agreement on a long-term comprehensive recovery plan before leaving Washington, we need them to move to renew access to PPP and ERTC, two fundamental short-term tools to help thousands of restaurants that will otherwise close as outdoor dining becomes less viable.

Click here to contact your Senators to urge them to get restaurant relief done before they leave D.C. Click here to read more from CBS News.

New Chicago Regulations - What You Need to Know

The city of Chicago now allows restaurants to operate at 40% indoor occupancy (with six feet of social distancing between tables), permits liquor sales until 1:00 a.m., and allows tavern licensees to open indoors at 25% occupancy.

Click here to review the updated guidelines.

Click here to watch a recent BACP webinar reviewing the new regulations for restaurants and bars.

Here's what Chicago restaurants need to know about the latest regulations:

• Restaurants can expand indoor occupancy to 40%.

• The limit of 50 total customers within one room or space at restaurants, venues and other establishments remains in place, as does the limit of no more than six people per table.

• Restaurants must space tables 6 ft apart, decommission tables, and/or add physical barriers (e.g., Plexiglass) between tables if they can't be moved

• Use impermeable barriers where 6 ft social distancing is not possible (e.g., counters, service tables, registers, etc.)

• Indoor liquor sales at restaurants and bars are extended to 1:00 a.m., and hours of operation are extended until 1:30 a.m.

• Outdoor dining / alcohol consumption is permitted following standard social distancing requirements

• All places of business should provide hand sanitizer for patrons and employees to use upon entry

• When dining out at a food service establishment or bar, customers must wear face coverings while seated at all times (including when interacting with staff), except when actively eating or drinking

• All patrons must be seated when eating, drinking or ordering – patrons cannot walk up to the bar to order.

• Bar seating is allowed if 6ft distancing can be maintained between customers (consider use of Plexiglas between customers and bartenders)

• When taking reservations and when seating walk-in customers, restaurants should retain an email and/or phone number of someone in the party for possible contract tracing

• This is strongly recommended by BACP, but is not an enforced requirement

Region 1 Moves Into Mitigation Tomorrow

Starting tomorrow, resurgence mitigations will be implemented in Region 1, the northwestern most counties in Illinois. 

Mitigation measures taking effect in Region 1 include: no indoor service at restaurants or bars, all outside service must end at 11:00 p.m., reservations required for each party, and more.

Click here to read the full announcement and mitigations.

Discounted JUSTIN Wines Now Available Through Chicago Gourmet

Go Gourmet has ended, but you can still enjoy part of the Chicago Gourmet experience in your home. Master Sommelier Joe Spellman's top wine pairings are available for a special discounted price for a limited time.

Now through October 15, use Chicago Gourmet Virtual Wine Sponsor JUSTIN Winery & Vineyards promo codes CG2020 to save 10% and FREESHIP for free shipping on the wines featured in our Virtual Series. Click here to make a purchase.

Illinois Department of Labor Launches Back to Business Illinois

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has announced the launch of Back to Business Illinois, a free, voluntary service to connect small businesses of 250 employees or fewer with consultants who will help them evaluate and address workplace safety and health issues related to COVID-19. The consultants will create a plan for small businesses that promotes a safe, healthy and productive environment for workers and customers.

Back to Business Illinois health and safety consultants in IDOL's Workplace Safety and Health Consultation Division will help local small businesses audit their physical operation, identify best practices and find ways to implement them efficiently.

This is a non-punitive program, and no fines or citations are associated with it. It is designed entirely as a benefit to empower Illinois small businesses to continue operating safely.

Click here to learn more.

Reminder - $220 Million in Business Interruption Grants Now Available

Applications for the second round of the state of Illinois' Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program are now available, and will offer $220 million in funds for small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic.

The second round of BIG aims to provide relief for all types of small businesses, but with a particular focus on businesses downstate, in disproportionately impacted areas (DIAs), and for heavily impacted industry and regions – representing businesses that have been unable to reopen or operating at a severely diminished capacity since the spring.  

Click here to learn more.

Tuesday Deadline to Apply for Cook County Small Business Grants

Are you a suburban Cook County businesses with 20 or fewer employees who has seen financial losses due to the pandemic?

You may qualify for a $10,000 grant from the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance program to help get their business back on its feet.

Click here to learn more and find out if you qualify. Applications are due Tuesday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m.